59: 𝚂𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙
Nova carried Zoey inside. She would have woken her up but... honestly she didn't feel up to answering all of her questions.
Nova rolled the younger girl onto her bed in their shared room. Carful not to damage her little wings as she did so. Then she collected her clothes and went to take a shower. Hoping to wash away all of her aches and pains in the water. It was warm, the water sprayed on her back and fell down her body. Soothing her ribs and legs just barely. Nova was starting to calm down...
Until she washed her hair.
Nova's fingers fell through the short length too easily. She was used to having long wet strands of it tangle in her fingers as she tried to brush through them. But her hair fell short.
Nova broke down.
Before she knew it she was on the floor of the dingy shower. Her hands in her hair as she sat on her knees. She sobbed, her body shaking with each breath. She tried to keep quiet, Karon might not be so nice if Nova kept her up with her wailing.
But Nova couldn't stop the tears and the shaking sobs. Her hands brushing through her hair tenderly... then gripping it in pain and anger. Why?? Why was this happening to her? Did she deserve it? Truly?
Nova had hoped all the pain and fear would leave once she won the sports festival. Once Kain was arrested. She thought with victory she'd gain confidence, bravery.
She covered her mouth. Her bare body was soaked with water that eventually ran cold. Causing her to shiver. But she didn't get out. She just sat there, water covering every inch of her like an ice blanket. It even ran down her face... or maybe that was her tears. She couldn't tell, everything mixed together in a wet blur. She couldn't see.
She sobbed. She cried so hard she choked. Then coughed, then threw up down the drain. The water washing it all away as though it never happened.
She must've been in there for quite some time, because after she finally started to calm down there was a sharp knock at the door.
"Get out. Water isn't free."
Was all Karon said before walking away. Nova heard her steps echo as she stalked down the hall, then slammed the door to her own room. Likely planning on indulging in her 'secret' stash of strong drink.
Nova could use some of that herself right about now.
It had been quite some time since Nova drank anything alcoholic. Which was a concerning thing to hear about a high school freshmen. But it was true. In Her last school before Junshi; Salty banks, she ended up in a pretty rough crowd. Well, less of a crowd and more of an individual who occasionally exposed her to a rough crowd. Most of the time though, Nova really just hung out with him.
Nova cut off the water with a flinch. The boy might've gotten her expelled but... at least he kept her from being beaten. Aside from UA... Salty banks was the only school where she actually had someone she knew would have her back. Or at least she had thought he did.
Nova stepped out of the shower and dried her hair and body, she didn't bother to wrap her hair in a towel. Not when it was so short. She didn't have the energy for it either. Instead she pulled on a long shirt and underwear before lazily walking to her bed, flopping down and passing out.
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
Nova felt rapid tapping on her right arm, causing her to peel her eyes open with a groan.
Her younger sister crawled into her bed beside her. "Nova... Nova!" Zoey whispered, laying down so that her face was right across from Nova's as she opened her eyes.
"...Zoey... What time is it?" Nova asked, rubbing her face. By the way she was feeling, she assumed it was still nighttime. She didn't feel well rested at all.
"Dark?" Zoey said with a shrug. "Are you okay? What happened to your hair?? You looked pretty beat up that first fight- but hey you won! I was getting a little nervous when you fought that scary guy. Can I look at your medal?"
The girl's rapid questioning made Nova woozy. She lifted a hand and ran it through Zoey's hair.
"I'm okay... I won didn't I?" Nova said with a small smile. She didn't wany Zoey to know how much that has hurt her. She didn't want to explain that she was dragging into a closet, drugged and then beaten.
"You sure did. It was awesome." Zoey said with a smile that told Nova she had successfully distracted the girl from her haircut. "Was it scary? Flighting infront of all those people?"
"Yeah a little. But anytime I got too scared I just pretended that you were the only one watching me." Nova said, closing her eyes with a yawn.
"Really?? I made you feel better?" Zoey said with an excited gasp.
"Of course you did... You always make me feel better." Nova ran a hand through her little sister's hair.
"You make me feel better too." Zoey whispered.
"...You know what else will make me feel better?" Nova said with a small smile, eyes still closed.
"What?" Zoey asked, scooting closer.
"Sleep." Nova said, throwing the covers over Zoey's head.
"No! I want to keep talking!" Zoey whined with a small giggle.
"We can talk tomorrow."
"But I have school ALLLL day tomorrow!" Zoey whined. "I wish my school had a break after the sports festival like yours does."
"You don't need a break!" Nova laughed. "UA has one because we all Fight each other for a day."
Zoey sighed. "Guess that means you're super tired then huh?" She asked reluctantly.
"Yes, I am." Nova nodded, warning another whine from Zoey.
"But I don't wanna go to bed!" She said, curling up in a tight ball in Nova's covers.
"Shhh." Nova said, Patting her head and then rolling over. Zoey leaned against her back...
And was asleep no more than a second later.
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
"As I'm sure most of you know the UA sports festival came to a close this evening."
A news caster said with a serious look on his face.
Every news station was talking about the event, and every one of them had their opinions about it.
"People have been labeling it the most controversial festival in the school's history. While UA is no stranger to controversy and challenging society this year takes the cake. As you probably are aware the winner of this festival was a girl named Kurayami. That's right, Nova Kurayami."
He said, a picture took up half the screen. A picture of Nova standing over everyone else on her platform.
"Who has been confirmed to be directly related to infamous villain, Rikko Kurayami. But that's not the only reason this festival is controversial. According to police and pro hero teachers at UA high Kurayami was ATTACKED by three UA students in a closet before her first match in the tournament round. All three third years have been apprehended by the police and we still await more information-"
The channel changed. The person watching the screen starting to dislike the content.
"Oh come on! You have to admit... There is something wrong with this picture."
Another news talk-show popped up next. The bosterous woman speaking was referencing another picture of Nova Kurayami. This one showed All Might himself putting a medal over her head.
"It is strange when you think about it." Another agreed with a slight frown. Although she didn't seem as opposed to it as the other.
"Think about it then! Her father spent years destroying our police and pro heroes." The first pointed at the screen. "And now his daughter is doing it LEGALLY. It's like this family just craves fighting and dare I say violence! If your father was a terrorist the best thing you can do for yourself is lay low and-"
It switched again. The man behind the remote didn't seem to like any of these main news networks. Or at least not what they had to say about this.
"I think it's unfair for anyone to be beaten in a closet for something they can't control." One man said on a different show. "Everyone is highlighting her win. But what about her first match? She was assaulted and had her hair cut. How can you ignore a minor being treated as such just because she bares a resemblance to something you hate?"
The skipping of channels paused as the man talked. He had big eyes and the appearance of a chimpanzee. At least his face and hands did.
"I can't help but think of the dark ages of quirks, where metal abilities themselves were shunned by society. Then the era were mutations were hated, an era that still continues in some places today." There was a certain sadness in the man's eyes. "I thought we as a society were moving past such primitive ways, but there seems to be a prejudice against the families of villains that's rising in popularity. But it's no better than sexism, racism, homophobia and other hatred fueled by differences-"
The TV clicked off for good this time. The man put down the remote with a very long tired sigh. His hand picking up a glass beside him instead. Taking a sip of the small glass of whiskey he had poured.
He wasn't much of a drinker usually. But today had been harder than he every expected. Longer too. It was almost midnight, and dispite being exhausted he stayed up. Waiting...
The door opened up.
The man stood and walked over, wordlessly to the individual looking at him with such pain in his eyes.
"Father you're still-" The boy was interrupted by a hug from his father, tender and loving. One he didn't get as often as he had when he was a young child.
"He'll be okay..." He assured his son.
"Everything will be alright... Tenya."
A/n: In case you haven't noticed...
A big inspiration for Karon's character is this absolute icon
Miss Hannigan from Annie...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ5KTJSuUrI
She's horrible for most of the movie... but I can't help but love her
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